Super Monkey Ball Deluxe

[SAM]

Super Monkey Ball Deluxe of PS2 are now selling at US$12.90 at Play-Asia.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-r-70-grm.html

Does this game worth buying?

I heard that it got a longer loading time than the GameCube Monkey Ball. Besides that I heard nothing.

Is the control Analog or Digital?

I already own the two GameCube Monkey Ball, the the Stages in the PS2 one the same as the GameCube ones? i.e. Is the PS2 version just a remake?

[theevilfunkster]

I think the PS2 and Xbox versions are just the Monkey Ball 1 + 2 stages put together but with worse graphics, dodgy framerate and completley messed up controls.

[Skyline]

I think the PS2 and Xbox versions are just the Monkey Ball 1 + 2 stages put together but with worse graphics, dodgy framerate and completley messed up controls.

That's sort of accurate, sorta not.

The game features the courses form SMB1+2, with a story mode added on to it (another way of saying "Stage Select", to be honest), and all of the party games from SMB1+2. The Beginner/Advanced/Expert courses from the Arcade version are also here.

The Xbox version's visuals look as good as the Gamecube, and loading times are all but non-existant, and the framerate is 60fps solid. The only issue is the slight feeling of looseness from the analog stick. In more cases than one, you'll find yourself needing to inch your way across somewhere, only to get no response from the controller until your thumb has moved quite a ways forward. It makes the gameplay noticeably jerky during later levels...I'm not quite sure if that's a case of shoddy programming, or if it's just the fault of the Xbox controller itself.

As for the PS2 version....well, the control is spot-on. Just as good as the Gamecube version (if not better) in terms of analog sensitivity, and movement. So...at least the core gameplay is right on the money.

...well now we get to the ugly. The loading times for the PS2 version are ridiculous...I'd estimate that the initial loading time from disc startup to the title screen is longer than in Gigawing Generations. Much more than half a minute. There's loading in between stages and stage selections as well: In the Course Mode, the game (music included) freezes while loading the next stage, and the game hangs for a few seconds in Story Mode in between selecting stages. The onscreen action is at 30fps, with some spots of slowdown in some areas. The graphics look very aliased, which is sort of common with PS2 games, but the texture quality in this game is just sad. This is supposed to be a wall.

Sega, what the fuck.

Haven't tried installing SMBD on a hard drive to use with HDLoader yet, but I would hope that cut loading times down.

So the only real merit to SMBD, if you already own the two Gamecube releases, is that you have in essence both games in one disc. The PS2 version from a gameplay perspective is dead-on, but the port could have been MUCH better.

[Super Laydock]

Is the PS2 version just a remake?

Skyline's remarks on it for the story mode stuff. I'd also like to add that this "Deluxe" version will include all levels from Super Monkey Ball 1 & 2, plus 46 all new levels, making up a total of 300+ levels. So you do get some extra levels as well.

Since you already SMB1 and SMB2 you'd basically be paying $12.90 for 46 new levels a storymode and kinda fucked up graphics, music and loading times.
So if you were thinking about getting the PS2 version of this:
I'd say, even for this great price, steer clear!!

[ArrogantBastard]

If I recall, the SMB series for GameCube was perfect due to its lack of deadzone, which made handling in the game more precise and smooth.

Correct me if I'm wrong here...

[Marc]

And the 'ridges' around the stick which helped fix direction of control.

[SAM]

Thanks guys.

You advices are very valuable to me.